Challenge

Romania Arena
Spectators: 49 (Terracing: 38, Seating: 11, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Stefan Dobay took the kick off in the first half of the match. 14 minutes into the match, Carpathians's goal looked a bit too open when Adam Olaru came free, but Matei Răducu reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Matei Răducu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Adam Olaru in the 17th minute of the match. In the 20th minute, Sanda Cutov hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Matei Răducu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Costica Vladimiri in the 23rd minute of play. Romania's Carol Stinga played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Stefan Dobay in the 26th minute of play. Mădălin Lipan struck a weak shot in the 30th minute. Carol Stinga didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Carpathians. An unexpectedly hard shot by Adam Olaru in the 33rd minute of play forced Carpathians's goalkeeper Matei Răducu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. An unexpected shot in the 37th minute by Adam Olaru got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. Costica Vladimiri was really disappointed when he shot the ball just outside the right post instead of scoring a goal in the 38th minute. Romania's manager could be seen on the sidelines shaking his head and muttering to himself as his team had just wasted another chance. In the 41st minute Adam Olaru shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Matei Răducu saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Vasile Ciumak made in the 42nd minute of the game a throw-in that took a bad bounce and was taken care of by Carpathians's Mădălin Lipan. The score stood at 0-0 when the half time whistle went. Both sets of players seemed reasonably pleased with how the match was going.

Leontin Ţurcaş recieved an excellent pass in front of the goal in the 53rd minute. Unfortunately, he received the ball on his off foot and could only manage a weak shot that went over the goal. In the 54th match minute, Carpathians was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Mădălin Lipan to maneuver through the defense. Matei Răducu made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Sanda Cutov in the 56th minute of play. Romania's Anton Stinga was substituted for Adam Olaru. An unexpectedly hard shot by Anton Stinga in the 59th minute of play forced Carpathians's goalkeeper Matei Răducu to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Romania made a substitution. Octavian Vaduva replaced Costica Vladimiri. Matei Răducu took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Anton Stinga, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. Matei Răducu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Anton Stinga, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. After a rather tough play, Carpathians's Pär Öman got a free kick in the 76th minute. Matei Răducu showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Rasvan Cristescu, who was totally free with the ball in the 81st minute. With his leg Carol Stinga managed to avoid a goal in the 82ndth minute, when Carpathians's Cazimir Feteanu fired away a shot with a lot of spin towards his right hand side. Matei Răducu showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Alexandru Pangratiu in the 87th minute of the match. After some fancy dribbling in the 93rd minute, Octavian Vaduva managed to get in a good position for a shot. Romania's supporters rose to their feet, but Octavian Vaduva was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Matei Răducu breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. Carpathians were furious when Martin Zafiu was red carded, 95 minutes into the game, but the referee dismissed their protests. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 95th minute of the game. One of Carpathians:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Romania:s goal. The referee gave Romania a penalty, 97 minutes into the game. The penalty shot was made by Sanda Cutov, who made a well placed shot into the net to the right of Carpathians's Matei Răducu. 1-0. There was no doubt that Romania were the better team. Romania's players enjoyed the ovations of the crowd after the victory.